Posted on 09/24/2021 6:46:48 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The songwriter, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist was best known as the bandleader and arranger for the James Brown Orchestra during its most prolific and groundbreaking period.
Published on September 24, 2021By Harry Weinger Pee Wee Ellis - Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty ImagesPee Wee Ellis (L) and Maceo Parker perform as part of the 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on May 5, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images uDiscover Music - Facebook ShareuDiscover Music - Twitter ShareuDiscover Music - Email ShareuDiscover Music - Comments Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis, the songwriter, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist best known as the bandleader and arranger for the James Brown Orchestra during its most prolific and groundbreaking period, died on September 23. He was 80 years old.
“With great sadness we have to announced that Pee Wee passed away last night following complications with his heart,” his family shared in a statement.
“We are working on plans to celebrate his wonderful life and hope you will all take time to listen to his music and continue his legacy.”
Ellis is considered one of the architects of funk, having co-written and arranged for Brown the landmark recordings “Cold Sweat” and “Say It Loud-I’m Black and I’m Proud.”
As Black Lives Matter protests swept the world last summer, nearly half a million people streamed the civil rights anthem “Say It Loud.”
“I’m deeply proud,” Ellis told The Independent, “to have played a part in creating a song that is inspiring young people today.”
Ellis was born in Bradenton, Florida on April 21, 1941. As a teen, he moved with his family to Rochester, NY, where he began playing professionally alongside fellow young musicians Chuck Mangione and Ron Carter; with his earnings he traveled to Manhattan and studied with jazz legend Sonny Rollins, establishing a lifelong friendship.
“I don’t know what possessed me to think it was OK to ask Sonny to teach me, but he was very forthcoming and generous,” Ellis shared in the same interview. Ellis then joined the James Brown entourage on the recommendation of trumpeter Waymon Reed.
Joining Brown’s band in early 1967, he instilled disciplined rehearsals and more sophisticated arrangements, leading to a string of unparalleled recordings and live performances.
“Being a jazz head, I really wasn’t that aware of James Brown when I joined the band, but my first night in the wings watching the show (which all new band members had to do) took my breath away…. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” Ellis recalled to ABC News in 2015.
In addition to Brown’s hits, and the many hip-hop samples from them, Ellis wrote and orchestrated a series of instrumental recordings featuring his saxophone, including “The Chicken,” originally issued on Brown’s album The Popcorn. Ellis’s composition has become a staple of jazz and funk bands after its now-legendary cover by bassist Jaco Pastorius. Ellis also fronted a Brown offshoot band, The Dapps.
Following his departure from the Brown camp in 1969, Ellis became a sought-after arranger for hire, particularly for the jazz-funk label CTI Records and working with the likes of R&B legend Esther Phillips.
In 1972, he co-founded the jazz-rock funk band Gotham, whose Motown album, Pass the Butter, became a sample source for hip-hop artists including Cru feat. Black Rob and Lords of the Underground. Ellis then began a long stint as bandleader and arranger for Van Morrison.
Ellis had since performed with several bands, including The J.B. Horns, a reunion with former bandmates Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley; his own Pee Wee Ellis Assembly; Ginger Baker Jazz Confusion; and with a series of African artists both live and on record.
A resident of the UK since his work with Van Morrison, he received a doctorate from Bath Spa University in 2014.
Following the news of Ellis’ passing, his peers and colleagues have shared their tributes to him including James Brown’s tour manager Alan Leeds.
“Pee Wee put James Brown’ s ideas to music. If JB created funk, so did Pee Wee Ellis. The only thing richer than his tone on his horn was his love of life and sense of humor.”
RIP. Had to be a tough job working for the hardest-working man in show business. ;-D
I guess he don’t feel good anymore.
Livin’ in America… ain’t what it used to be.
Did you k now that AL SHARPTON was James Brown’s Road Manager after Bud Hopgood died? Iirc
Was he the guy with the cape who tried to walk him off the stage?
This is one funeral where popcorn should be served. RIP.
I had a friend in Augusta, Ga
who played drums for James Brown for a while.
James was (1)a showman, and (2)a perfectionist.
If he thought someone did not put out 100% for that gig,
he would cut their pay or not pay them at all.
More info via related link below below which includes this zinger — “Pee Wee Ellis: ‘America was built on slavery and exploitation – but change is coming’”
Ah Nooooo! Not Pee Wee!!!!
huh? oh, wrong one. Never mind.
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